By John Ikani
Ghanaian dancer and social media sensation, Ernest Raja Nettey, popularly known as Official Starter, has expressed his immense joy and happiness to newsmen after Nigerian superstar Burna Boy recognized his dance video by featuring it on a billboard poster.
In the video, Nettey can be seen dancing alongside women employed at the bustling Makola market in Accra, Ghana, grooving to Burna Boy’s latest track, “City Boys.”
The video rapidly gained widespread attention after Burna Boy shared it, amassing an impressive three million views on TikTok.
In a heartwarming response to the viral video, Burna Boy secured billboard space at the Makola market, bearing the message, “Burna Boy loves the market women from the Happy Town Project.”
He shared a video on his Instagram capturing the moment the billboard was unveiled, accompanied by the message, “You all made my day. I hope I made yours.”
Speaking to the BBC, Nettey shared his feelings of sheer happiness and elation upon seeing the billboard. “I was so happy because it was the first time an artist did something like this for us,” he added.
He further noted the impact on the market women, stating, “Right now, when the women are selling to their customers, they are telling them – ‘look at me, I am on the billboard!’”
The Happy Town Project, initiated by Nettey after his mother, a market trader, passed away four years ago, has gained notoriety for its viral videos showcasing him dancing alongside the market women from Makola.
Nettey lovingly expressed, “They treat me like their son.”
